Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is expecting no issues in discussions with Randy Lerner over a new deal after hailing the American owner's vision for the club.

Lambert is midway through a three-year contract after joining Villa from Norwich in the summer of 2012.

It has not all been plain sailing for Lambert as Villa only narrowly avoided relegation last season, which included a humiliating Capital One Cup semi-final defeat to Bradford and 8-0 hammering at Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League.

Villa sit a respectable 10th in the league this campaign, although they are only five points off the relegation zone.

Lambert, though, enjoys a very healthy relationship with Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner, and it comes as no surprise tentative talks have started with regard to a contract extension.

"I speak to Randy a lot, and things like that (a new contract) will take care of itself," said Lambert.

"I've another year after this anyway. I never look too far ahead.

"But I'm sure the discussions between me and the chairman will be the same as they've always been. They'll be pleasant, with no problems either way whatsoever."

Suggested any extension would be a vote of confidence, Lambert added: "They (Lerner and Faulkner) see the vision and what's happened.

"They see the work that has been going on behind the scenes, to have that vision of what you want to do.

"If you have that vision, you need people seeing it and backing it, and Randy has been fantastic with that.

"He knows what's happened, and he knows the way we want to go, and as I said, he's backed it and been excellent."

Lambert, meanwhile, has confirmed striker Gabriel Agbonlahor should return for Saturday's home clash with West Ham.

Agbonlahor sustained a foot injury in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool eight days ago after tumbling over an advertising hoarding, forcing him out of the 4-3 victory over West Brom last week and 2-1 loss at Everton on Saturday.

But after making rapid progress, Lambert said: "Gabby looks pretty good at the moment."

Centre-back Ron Vlaar is unlikely to figure after picking up a hamstring problem sustained late in the game at Goodison Park.